Strangford pick up two All Ireland rowing golds

Strangford pick up two All Ireland rowing golds

23 August 2017

A TEAM of Strangford ladies have won a major rowing award.

The Strangford ladies crew of Elaine Laird, Joanne McGouran Green, Erin Savage and Val McGouran, coxed by James Elliott, confirmed their position as the top Irish ladies crew at The All Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships in Ballyshannon on Friday.  

Racing in the St Ayles Skiff class the crew overhauled Dundrum who had a narrow lead at the half-way to win by almost two lengths.

Valerie McGouran and Erin Savage then combined with the stern pair of Kevin òg Kearney and Stefano Crispi, of the Strangford men’s crew to follow this victory with another in the St Ayles mixed race later in the afternoon.  

This proved to be an easier victory as the crew simply rowed away from the opposition from the turn into a force six headwind.  

The top Strangford men’s crew won the sliver in a very tight race, again with their main adversaries, Dundrum.

This victory follows a number of very successful races at the Skiffie Festival at Delamont and more recently at the Portavogie Regatta where the Strangford crews won the challenge, mens and ladies events.

Strangford have two St Ayles skiffs which were built by Jeremy Duffin of Strangford, with the help of various members.  Newcomers to the club are always welcome and the 1pm slot on Sundays is available for novices, social rowers and new members.